Tether, Visa, Bitcoin ETFs — The Week’s Biggest Crypto Moves

The crypto and fintech world saw a wave of significant developments this week, from Tether overtaking South Korea in U.S. bond holdings to Visa expanding blockchain support to large-scale Bitcoin ETF outflows. Meanwhile, mining theft records were broken, major stablecoin issuances took place, and governments deepened their involvement in digital assets.

Tether Becomes the 18th Largest U.S. Treasury Holder

Tether has surpassed South Korea to become the 18th largest holder of U.S. Treasury bonds, according to official data. The stablecoin issuer now holds $127 billion in U.S. debt, underscoring its growing influence in global financial markets. This holding represents a significant portion of Tether’s reserves, which back its USDT stablecoin. The move also highlights the increasing link between crypto-backed assets and traditional finance. Analysts suggest that Tether’s growing U.S. bond position could make it a relevant player in global monetary flows.

$3.5B Stolen from LuBian Pool

Blockchain intelligence firm Arkham has uncovered the largest theft in crypto mining history. The LuBian mining pool suffered losses of $3.5 billion in stolen Bitcoin mining rewards. According to reports, the theft occurred over an extended period, making it harder to detect. The stolen funds were allegedly moved through multiple wallets to obscure their origins. This breach not only impacts LuBian but also raises concerns about the security protocols of other mining pools.

Visa Expands Blockchain Support with Avalanche, Stellar, and New Stablecoins

Visa has announced support for the Avalanche and Stellar blockchains, enabling faster and more efficient transactions across its payment network. The company also integrated three stablecoins, USDG, PayPal’s PYUSD, and Circle’s EURC, for settlement purposes. This expansion aims to improve cross-border payment processing and interoperability between fiat and crypto. Visa’s adoption of multi-chain support reflects its strategy to position itself as a leader in blockchain-based financial services.

Bitcoin ETFs Record $812M Outflow

U.S.-listed Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw $812 million in net outflows in a single day, the second-largest daily withdrawal since their inception. The outflows came amid heightened market volatility and uncertainty around regulatory developments. Analysts suggest that institutional investors may be taking profits after recent price rallies. Some also point to macroeconomic factors, such as interest rate concerns, influencing investor sentiment.

Japan’s Metaplanet Buys 463 BTC, Plans $3.17B Fundraising

Japanese investment company Metaplanet has purchased 463 Bitcoin for $53.7 million as part of its corporate treasury strategy. The company revealed plans to raise an additional $3.17 billion to further expand its BTC holdings. This move positions Metaplanet as one of the largest Bitcoin-holding firms in Asia. Management stated that the purchases are aimed at protecting the company’s assets from yen depreciation.

Circle Mints $750M in USDC

Circle, the issuer of USD Coin (USDC), has minted $750 million worth of the stablecoin in a single issuance. The minting comes amid speculation of increased market demand for USDC liquidity. Some analysts believe the new supply may be linked to upcoming DeFi integrations or institutional settlement needs. USDC remains one of the largest regulated stablecoins, with reserves fully backed by cash and U.S. Treasuries.

El Salvador and Bolivia Sign Crypto Adoption Agreement

El Salvador and Bolivia have signed a cooperation agreement to promote cryptocurrencies as alternatives to fiat currencies. Bolivia, facing a severe currency crisis, sees digital assets as a potential solution to financial instability. The partnership will involve knowledge sharing, technical support, and regulatory cooperation. El Salvador’s experience as the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender will serve as a model for Bolivia’s crypto ambitions.

Ethereum Foundation Targets 10,000 TPS and Quantum Security

The Ethereum Foundation has outlined a decade-long roadmap to scale the network to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS). The plan also includes implementing safeguards against potential threats from quantum computing. Scaling will be achieved through ongoing upgrades such as sharding, rollups, and protocol optimizations. The Foundation emphasized the importance of staying ahead of emerging technological threats to protect user assets.

Elon Musk’s DOGE Program Reports $21.7B in Losses

Media reports claim Elon Musk’s Dogecoin-related program has resulted in $21.7 billion in losses during the first half of 2025. The initiative, which aimed to integrate DOGE into various business and payment systems, has faced poor adoption and declining market interest. Critics argue that the program overestimated consumer demand for meme-based cryptocurrencies. The losses have raised concerns about the influence of celebrity-backed crypto projects on retail investors.

User Loses $908K USDC in Phishing Scam

A crypto user lost $908,000 in USDC after unknowingly signing a malicious transaction on a phishing website. The attacker tricked the victim into granting wallet permissions that allowed the transfer of funds. Blockchain analysts tracked the stolen funds to multiple addresses, making recovery unlikely. Experts urge crypto holders to verify website authenticity and use hardware wallets for added security.

About Paybis

Paybis is a global cryptocurrency exchange platform that provides fast, secure, and user-friendly digital asset transactions. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat conversions, enabling users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.

With a strong focus on security and compliance, Paybis is registered with regulatory authorities and implements industry-leading AML/KYC procedures. The platform is known for its intuitive interface, 24/7 customer support, and competitive exchange rates, making it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

Summing Up

This week’s events highlight the rapid evolution and high stakes of the crypto industry. From massive institutional moves and government partnerships to security breaches and investor losses, the landscape continues to shift quickly, with both opportunities and risks growing in scale.

Written by

Rem Vasilenko

Rem Vasilenko is a Growth Operations Manager at Paybis. With a keen interest in FinTech, Rem brings a unique perspective to the evolving digital finance landscape. He combines his passion for FinTech with his marketing and business skills to drive innovative strategies. Find him on LinkedIn.